Wednesday, April 19, 2017
TEAC Combines Power and Grace in New High Resolution DAC Amplifier

Introduced at the AXPONA Audio Expo, the new TEAC AI-503 is poised to be the centerpiece of your home Hi-Fi set up.

Featuring an integrated60 watt-per-channel amplifier and USB DAC, the TEAC AI-503 supports DSD playback at up to 11.2MHz, as well as PCM at up to 384kHz/32-bit. This unit also includes both optical/coaxial digital and RCA analog inputs, and an LDAC-compatible Bluetooth receiver for high-resolution wireless audio listening. Finally, a combined 3.5mm optical digital/stereo mini jack on the front panel supports analog and digital connection of mobile devices and Digital Audio Players.

For personal listening, the AI-503 employs a dedicated Class AB headphone amp designed with both discrete push-pull circuits and op amps. Building on technologies developed for the UD-503, this unique circuit design suppresses noise while maintaining the wide operational range of the amplifier. The AI-503 headphone output also uses a circuit design with completely separated grounding for left and right channels within the final 4-pole type jack. By completely separating the grounding of the left and right channels from the amplifier, channel separation is increased and a much more transparent soundstage achieved.

Lastly, great care was taken during the industrial design of the AI-503 to ensure that the visuals are as stunning as the sonics. A solid metal outer case, specially selected potentiometers with aluminum knobs, and dimmable VU meters combine to deliver style and ease of use in equal measure.

The AI-503 is available now at authorized TEAC dealers at an average price of $1,000.